Earlier this year, a few months after our first HTH x Domino collection debuted, I was sitting at chief creative officer Kate Berry’s dining room table among a pile of fabric strips. Berry was literally piecing together the initial color combo of what would become just one of the four brand-new styles in our stripe-filled collaboration, which launches today. 

Arriving just in time for outdoor entertaining, the latest assortment—shot on location on Shelter Island in New York—spans tablecloths, table runners, napkins, placemats, tea towels, tissue box covers, and pillows (petite and standard), ranging from $38 to $325. And like the first collection, it’s the bold, saturated shades that give these designs the Domino stamp. 

“I am in love with the gorgeous color combinations that Kate and I dreamed up for this collection,” Heather Taylor says. “They each feel like a fresh take on summer classics.” And, indeed, they have warm weather baked into their design DNA: tomato and blue, lemon and sand, emerald and sky, and navy and blue. Pleated and scalloped trim abound, as do mini, midi, and maxi stripes. Berry notes that while certain shades are punchy, they are always paired with a softer hue that keeps things grounded. “There’s a balance,” she says. “For example, the yellow adds a pop of color, but the sand blends in with other neutrals.” Below, get a primer on how we’d style each option and a look at the fresh drop.

Tomato and Blue

This duo is a perennial favorite color combination of Domino editors. For a dinner party, go playful and casual with a cascade of matching heirloom tomatoes as your centerpiece, Sabre flatware, and Helen Levi’s rainbow splatter dishes. Or follow Taylor’s lead: “Swapping out my older tea towels for these summery colorways will freshen up my kitchen for the season ahead,” she says.

HTH x Domino Mini Stripe Tomato & Blue Napkins, Heather Taylor Home ($92)

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HTH x Domino Tomato & Blue Tea Towel, Heather Taylor Home ($38)

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HTH x Domino Tomato & Blue Petite Pillow, Heather Taylor Home ($125)

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HTH x Domino Tomato & Blue Placemat, Heather Taylor Home ($52)

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Lemon and Sand

“The yellow and sand runner with the scalloped edge is a forever piece,” Taylor says. “It’s so chic and happy.” Berry adds that the pinkish color balances the citron in just the right way without going too beach club. Set peachy pinwheel plates on top for another take on stripes (as long as you vary the scale, you can never have enough).

HTH x Domino Lemon & Sand Runner, Heather Taylor Home ($325)

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HTH x Domino Lemon & Sand Napkins, Heather Taylor Home ($92)

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HTH x Domino Wide Stripe Lemon & Sand Pillow, Heather Taylor Home ($156)

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HTH x Domino Lemon & Sand Tissue Box Cover, Heather Taylor Home ($45)

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Navy and Blue

“Blues are neutrals to me,” Berry states. This tonal pair lays a cool monochrome foundation that’s timeless yet of the moment. Pair it with some tomato and blue pieces—they actually share the same mid-blue tone—and add Georg Jensen Berandotte cutlery to instantly elevate basic barbecue fare.

HTH x Domino Navy & Blue Placemat, Heather Taylor Home ($52)

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HTH x Domino Navy & Blue Petite Pillow, Heather Taylor Home ($125)

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HTH x Domino Navy & Blue Tablecloth, Large, Heather Taylor Home ($298)

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HTH x Domino Medium Stripe Navy & Blue Napkins, Heather Taylor Home ($92)

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Emerald and Sky

Taylor envisions leaving the emerald and sky runner on her outdoor table all summer long. While you can’t go wrong with green on green, add some hits of unexpected lilac—the actual flowers count!—and your afternoon oysters will never look better.

HTH x Domino Emerald & Sky Tea Towel, Heather Taylor Home ($38)

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HTH x Domino Emerald & Sky Runner, Heather Taylor Home ($218)

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The post We Just Added 28 New Products to Our Stripy Collab With Heather Taylor Home appeared first on domino.

When former Infatuation editor Katherine Lewin opened Big Night in Brooklyn in 2021, it couldn’t have come at a better time. We were all mostly avoiding restaurants, and at-home entertaining was bigger than ever. 

And yet, three years and one more store location later, Big Night is still thriving, thanks to Lewin’s thoughtful tabletop curation and delightful party-ready snacks. In fact, the store has become so popular that Lewin just released her first book, Big Night: Dinners, Parties & Dinner Parties, which is part cookbook, part entertaining guide, and—most important—a primer on cheese math. 

In this excerpt, Lewin shares the 13 hosting rules she lives by. 

1. You don’t have to serve dinner to have a dinner party. Snacks can be dinner. And if those snacks run out, pizza is always a phone call away. 

2. Rather than a hard start time, give people an arrival window: “Come over anytime after 6:30—we’ll eat around 8.” This framing accomplishes a lot: It tells people they can expect drinks and snacks before dinner; it gives them flexibility if they need a little more time; and it conveys an actual deadline for them to show up by. All in one clearly communicated sentence!

3. Anything—even a store-bought thing—looks good in the right bowl. Do not underestimate the power of a great (or unexpected) serving vessel. Whip out a gravy boat filled with hot fudge for pouring over ice cream and watch the people freak out.

4. Right bowl, right size. If you’ve ever wondered why your dip or salad or cheese plate looks a little sad, consider: Does it fill out the vessel you put it in? Fit is important; don’t go too big. Your food should be wearing its outfit, not the other way around.

5. Anything can be zhuzhed. Good olive oil, flaky salt, freshly cracked black pepper, a sprinkling of chile flakes, a fistful of fresh chopped herbs, or a scoop of chili crisp can turn a meh dish into a much better one—or even breathe new life into leftovers.

6. Sometimes—most times—the best appetizers are the simplest ones: A hunk of great cheese, a bowl of olives, and a little pile of salted nuts make for a perfect starting spread.

7. If you’re serving cheese, take it out of the fridge at least half an hour beforehand. You want to be able to taste the cheese, not your fridge. These 30 minutes can be the difference between a just-pretty cheese plate and an utterly delicious one.

8. If at any point you feel overwhelmed or stressed by the menu you’ve planned to serve, delete a dish. No one will know, and you won’t be cranky and stressed.

9. CAYG: Clean As You Go. It’s a lifestyle—one that is, for me, sometimes more of an aspiration, but still. The more I tidy and wash as I cook, the happier I am at the end of the night not to be staring at a Mount Everest of mess.

10. If you can turn something into a bar, do it. A Spritz Bar, a Deviled Eggs Bar, a BLT Bar, a Bloody Mary Bar—people love a bar, they love options, and they love to customize. Everyone wants to be their own special snowflake! And hosting is so much easier when everyone becomes the master of their own destiny.

11. Don’t forget dessert. It can be as simple as fancy chocolate bars broken up and shared right on the tablecloth. It can be as nostalgic as Klondike Bars or Chipwiches or Otter Pops pulled from the freezer. It can be as easy as pastries outsourced from your favorite bakery. It can be as fancy as a three-layer cake you made from scratch—but if you’re going this route…

12. Don’t stress dessert. Only make it yourself if you really want to, and do it before the party has started. Your maximum dessert effort should be scooping it into glasses, reheating it in the oven, or making fresh whipped cream—in fact, simply add some sliced berries tossed with a little sugar, and that right there is a perfect dessert.

13. Accept help with the dishes—but only at the very end of the night.

Excerpted with permission from Big Night: Dinners, Parties & Dinner Parties by Katherine Lewin © 2024. Published by Union Square and Co.

The post I Own a Store Dedicated to Dinner Parties—Here’s What I Do to Fight Pre-Company Stress appeared first on domino.

Home Front is a weekly deep dive into the rising—and returning—trends, decor, and teeniest of design details fresh on our radar. Last week, Julia, Domino’s style editor, got into a very specific table styling aesthetic she’s been seeing.

Subscribe now to get the next Home Front newsletter, and read the full edition here.

Lately, the IG account I’m referencing most is Ananas Ananas, a California-based food-art studio feeding the coolest parties. I highly recommend following the duo if you’re into bread hanging from fishing line, candied cherry tomatoes suspended on metal picks, and deviled eggs balancing on upside-down plates. They’re a big reason why my saved folder, typically full of moody interiors and floral arrangements, has a new category popping up on the grid: minimal, esoteric snack tables straddling the line between art installation and all-you-can-eat buffet.

On Board

Bouquets of curly treviso, radishes wedged into whipped butter towers, and massive wheels of serve-yourself cheese are the new chips and guac. When it comes to creating your own avant-garde spread, it’s important to remember that the ingredients are the star of the show, not the vessels. This actually makes your job easier. Pared-back serveware that can be in the background is all you need. You’ll just want to be sure that your bowls, coupes, stands, and boards vary in height and size to create a dynamic landscape. But before you get your credit card out, you’d be surprised what you can do with things you already have. I’ve used an upside-down bowl as a pedestal for a plate, et voilà, a makeshift cake stand.

Of course, there are also a few new goodies I’m eyeing:

1. While I might be intimidated to serve a full-on raw bar at home, seafood towers aren’t just for shellfish. I’d fill this one with flowery chicories or assorted Italian cookies from Veniero’s in Manhattan’s East Village.
2. I find comfort in knowing that anything I put in this tinfoil-esque basket would automatically be photo-worthy, whether that’s carrots with long ruffly tops, store-bought potato chips, or a pile of prosciutto.
3. Risers instead of traditional platters, like these at Ananas Ananas’s Design Within Reach event, are the ultimate way to hop on this trend. I’d plop my snacks right on blocks from Amazon; no plates necessary.
4. A beautiful butter tower deserves a beautiful butter knife. I recently came across the Numero collection at Sabre and was struck by the curved, diagonal handles.
5. So many of the party buffets I’ve spotted include stainless steel coupes, and you can order them in sets on Amazon. I’ve seen them filled with dangling muscat grapes, a single piece of citrus, or whipped butter.
6. Yes, classy toothpicks do exist, and they’re also on Amazon. The pearlescent ball detail on these makes them like jewelry for the table.
7. While these wouldn’t be part of the snack spread, I’d still want my appetizer plates to be just as charming as the serveware. Simple with a twist; I love the bubblelike flared edges.
8. Scallops walked so zigzags could run.
9. The raised edges, clean lines, and glossy-to-matte finish of the entire Kelly Wearstler x Serax Dune collection make it a refreshing palate cleanser. I’d populate this serving bowl with a mountain of bread rolls.
10. While a basic square serving board would certainly do, the angular cuts of this ash-wood one inspire a more creative orientation of cheese, meat, or crudités.

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The post All the Cool Chefs Are Tapping Into This Table Styling Aesthetic appeared first on domino.

When I hopped on the phone with Paris-based writer Rebekah Peppler earlier this month, I told her that one shot from her new cookbook, Le Sud, caught my eye. (She’s also penned Apertif  and À Table.) It wasn’t the glowing panoramics of the Mediterranean Sea or the beautifully set table of le grande aïoli or even the glorious scenes photographed in La Pitchoune, Julia Child’s once-vacation home. It was a clean, ethereal image of her clad in a Bourrienne shirt and Ina Beissner jewelry, delicately holding a tumbler full of what she calls a martini provençal. 

“I’ll absolutely go on the record with my dislike for martini glasses,” Peppler declared. “They’re unwieldy; I spill. I don’t really want to use a glass that I feel very precious with and might break.” While long-legged versions from The White Lotus might have dominated last year, Peppler is staunchly behind the more squat proportions of an in-the-palm glass. That is to say: There’s more than one way to enjoy a martini—and it doesn’t have to be from an upside-down triangle. Below, Peppler tells Domino how she takes hers and we reveal our tumbler picks for your next round.

How do you like your martini? 

I like a 50-50 gin-vermouth martini over ice. I drink them regularly. I’m not precious about it. I would batch it, keep it chilled, and bring it on a picnic or to a friend’s house with a stack of Duralex glasses. 

If not in a martini glass, then what? 

There’s so many other options that I find are just better in my hand. You could use a Nick and Nora. You could use the Mamo glasses styled in Le Sud; I love their stuff. With a gorgeous silver toothpick, you can really make it feel very fancy without actually adding much. And sure, If I’m going to go to a fancy cocktail bar, I want it to be done up in a coupe. 

But at home, a tumbler is what I reach for. It adds a bit of weight and makes it more accessible. And if I do spill, I’m just losing a little liquid and not breaking the glass. If you don’t need to see the color of your martini, I love a ceramic glass. We use our coffee cups at night often. We have a lot of friends who are ceramists, so we have a lot of their pieces, and I like to use them outside of just coffee. 

But won’t a martini get warm served that way?

Try the martini provençal; it’s a lower ABV martini with equal parts gin and vermouth, and then I add sherry to it. It’s a strong drink, but I don’t find it to be a drink that I want to sit for too long. I want it to be ice cold. So I don’t really care if my hands are touching the glass because I think it should be drunk pretty quickly. I think: Drink faster and serve less. 

I guess martini glasses are hard to store, too, huh? 

Exactly. It’s really hard with martini glasses. They take up so much space on a shelf, and I don’t find them necessarily pleasing to look at, anyway.

10 Martini-Worthy Tumblers

Duralex Picardie Glass Tumblers, Set of 6, Williams Sonoma ($30)

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Ichendorf Milano Gray Poseidon Tumbler Set, Set of 6, Ssense ($65)

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Fritter Tumbler Set, Sophie Lou Jacobsen ($110)

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LSA Gio Tumblers, Set of 4, Amazon ($33 was $35)

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Essential Small Glassware, Set of 4, Hawkins New York ($32)

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Enamelware Tumbler, Schoolhouse ($14)

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Serax Fish & Fish Medium Glasses by Paola Navone, Set of 4, Food52 ($52)

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Essential Stacking Double Old-Fashioned Drinking Glasses, Set of 4, West Elm ($28)

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Bodega 7 oz Glasses, Set of 12, Crate & Barrel ($33)

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Lorraine Tumblers, Set of 6, Lulu and Georgia ($84)

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This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.

The post Martini Glasses Are Overrated—Here’s the Drinkware I Use Instead appeared first on domino.

We love a good shopping challenge, and nothing compares to sourcing products for the most difficult-to-please people from a colossal online retailer. After putting our entire team to the task, we uncovered the best Mother’s Day gifts on Amazon that feel refreshingly unique—despite what their Prime eligibility might otherwise suggest. Our roster of 40-plus favorites covers a wide range of crowd-pleasing categories, from chic enamel kitchenware and elegant fuchsia gardening gloves to footed glass caviar bowls and silver bee-shaped candle snuffers designed by Alessi. The stacked list of surprisingly stylish Mother’s Day gifts on Amazon continues, below.

Best Kitchen Gifts

Our favorite Amazon kitchen gifts hail from Domino-favorite brands you might not know are hiding on Amazon: Studio 189’s handmade batik cotton apron, Crow Canyon splatter-accented enamelware, sleek coffee makers by Fellow, Smeg’s premium Italian gadgets, trendy electric kettles from Caraway, and Laguiole’s French stainless steel cutlery. All gift-worthy catnip for cool moms who like to cook.

Star-Printed Hand-Batik Long Apron, Studio 189 ($110)

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Cotton Waffle Tea Towel, Set of 3, Creative Co-Op ($17 was $19)

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Enamelware Salad Bowl, 4-Quart, Crow Canyon ($43)

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Porcelain Enamel-Coated Steel Pitcher, Golden Rabbit Enamelware ($41 was $45)

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Pour Over Coffee Set, Fellow ($80)

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Hand Blender, Cream, Smeg ($180)

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Whistling Teakettle in Marigold, Caraway ($195 was $225)

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7-Piece Stainless Steel Cheese Knife Set, Laguiole ($36 was $45)

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Best Gardening Gifts

For moms who garden, we selected an assortment of design-forward gifts to help them do so in style. Our ideas include elbow-length leather gardening gloves in an eye-catching fuchsia, Hunter clogs that make a compelling case to be worn beyond the tomato trellises, a shockingly chic watering can, Martha Stewart–approved pruning shears, self-watering planter pots, and an all-encompassing herb garden kit.

Elbow-Length Leather Gardening Gloves in Rosy, HandLandy ($18 was $22)

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Original Play Clogs, Hunter ($55 was $85)

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Stainless Steel Water Can, 35 oz, E.Palace ($22)

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103 Bypass Pruners, Okatsune ($28)

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6-Inch Self Watering Pot, Phoenix Vine ($31)

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Organic Herb Garden Kit Indoor, Spade to Fork ($30 was $35)

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Best Glassware Gifts

Although Amazon might not be your first thought for procuring gift-worthy glassware, that’s not to say it doesn’t exist within the site’s virtual depths. After rooting around, we uncovered a collection of bona fide mom charmers: elegant footed caviar bowls by LSA, amber tortoiseshell wineglasses handblown by a small business based in Mexico, Godinger’s handsome sea-tinted champagne bucket, the iconic Alvar Aalto vase by Finnish brand Iittala, a top-rated ribbed carafe-tumbler duo for under $20, and a color-blocked reversible vase.

Glass Caviar Serving Bowl, LSA International ($80)

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Handblown Amber Tortoiseshell Wineglasses, 9 oz, Novica ($88 was $98)

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Silver Art Rondo Sea Blue Champagne Bucket, Godinger ($55)

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Alvar Aalto 120mm Clear Vase, Iittala ($140)

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Ribbed Glass Carafe with Tumbler, 15 oz, Sizikato ($17 was $19)

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Reversible Large Glass Flower Vase and Bud Vase, Cloudnola ($65)

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Best Tableware Gifts

Amazon is already a Domino-editor favorite for affordable dinnerware staples, so taking things a step further and tapping the retailer for special Mother’s Day gift ideas was not much of a stretch. Our findings include charming Juliaska placemats and pretty patterned spoons, stonewashed linen napkins made from 100% French flax, a block-print cotton tablecloth, a ruffled butter dish, quirky cork placemats, and a woven rattan wine caddy.

Tuileries Garden Placemat, Juliska ($20)

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Iberian Spoons, Set of 4, Juliska ($52)

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Small Boho Rattan Wicker Plant Risers, Set of 2, Kutorkill ($24)

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100% French Flax Stonewashed Linen Napkins, Set of 4, Eight Owls ($35)

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100% Cotton Block-Print Tablecloth, 60″ x 108″, Atosii ($50)

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Ruffle Butter Dish, Coton Colors ($40)

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Cork Placemats, Set of 4, Old City Unltd. ($35)

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Two-Bottle Wine Basket, Teng Tian ($70)

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Best Beauty Gifts

Amazon’s luxury beauty selection is strong, offering a wide range of crowd-favorite brands with verified storefronts—from Tatcha’s cult skin-care kits to Olio e Osso’s clean beauty staples to Diptyque’s status candle trios. Other gift ideas for Mom include little luxuries like Monpure’s silk scrunchies, Osea’s algae-infused body butter, and a Weleda hand-softening kit.

The Starter Ritual Set, Tatcha ($80)

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Natural Lip + Cheek Balm, No. 10 Tea Rose, Olio e Osso ($28)

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Votive Candle Trio-Baies, Figuier, Roses, 3-Count, Diptyque ($116)

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Style and Protect Silk Scrunchie Trio, Monpure ($32)

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Undaria Algae Body Butter, 6.7 oz, Osea ($56)

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Skin Food Hand Mask Kit, Weleda ($17)

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Best Food Gifts

Starting with a cheer-inspiring ceramic bottle of cold-pressed olive oil she can (and will) reuse and moving on to Nancy Silverton’s latest cookbook, an assortment of Venchi’s Italian chocolates, and a lovely box of Korean tea sachets sourced from the fields of Jeju Island, our top picks for the best Mother’s Day food gifts on Amazon will not disappoint.

Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil, 16.9 fl oz, Antico Frantoio Muraglia ($75)

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The Cookie That Changed My Life: And More Than 100 Other Classic Cakes, Cookies, Muffins, and Pies That Will Change Yours, Nancy Silverton ($33 was $40)

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Baroque Collection Gift Box, Venchi ($59)

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Premium Tea Collection Gift Set, 40 Count, OSULLOC ($40)

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Best Unique Gifts

As far as unique Amazon gifts go, there are quite a few for mothers. We clocked a plucky bunch of items she would never buy herself. There’s the Domino-favorite Loftie lamp, a brass-cast spectacle stand, a Sensi Studio sun hat, a centerpiece-worthy puzzle, Alessi’s stainless steel candle snuffer, flower-filled note cards, Jasper Morrison–designed wine goblets, a teeny-tiny portable mushroom lamp, and an ethically sourced palo santo starter kit—for every one purchased, the brand will plant a tree.

Eyewear Stand, Craighill ($68)

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Texas Long Brim Hat With Italian Bow, Sensi Studio ($240)

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Smart Lamp, Loftie ($250)

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Power Lunch 1,000-Piece Puzzle, Piecework ($32)

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Bzzz Candle Snuffer, Alessi ($35 was $40)

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Joy Laforme Everblooming Blank Greeting Card Assortment, Galison ($18)

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Glass Family Wineglasses by Jasper Morrison, Set of 4, Alessi ($37 was $40)

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Portable Aluminum LED Lamp, Lexon ($70)

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Palo Santo Sticks, 5-Pack, Bursera ($16)

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Vulcan Ceramic Smudge Bowl, Bursera ($29)

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The post The 48 Best Mother’s Day Gifts on Amazon Will Surprise You (and Your Mom) appeared first on domino.

When Kelly Wearstler reaches out to you over email to show off the Easter eggs she made with her 18-month-old son, you reply immediately with follow-up questions to get all the details. “I’ve always seen Easter as such a vibrant, joyous holiday, so we really like to make it special for our kids,” she shares. “Now that my son Crosby is old enough to really get involved in the festivities, we’re excited to make Easter more of a production again in our home.” 

From how she strategically “hides” her eggs around her house to her secret to keeping them in place during dyeing, here’s what the designer shared with us about the ways she improvises with a regular box of dye from the grocery store. 

Play With the Palette

To go beyond a simple allover color effect, Wearstler partially submerges the eggs, then dips them multiple times (and at varying depths) to give them an ombré effect that’s still simple enough for Crosby to make, too. To achieve the pastel shades, she dipped for 10 seconds, and for more saturated tones, she kept them in between 5 and 10 minutes. Her secret to keeping the eggs in place? Espresso cups. “They allow for ultimate control over which part of the egg you color because the egg doesn’t roll around,” she says.

Get a Drippy Effect

To take your designs to the next level (without losing the attention of your little ones), Wearstler likes to create a painterly effect by letting the dye drip-dry. “Hold the tip of the egg in the dye for about 5 to 10 seconds. Then slowly pull the egg out, flip it over, and gently move the egg around while letting the dye run,” she says. “You’ll get the most amazing patterns and lines.”

“Hide” Them as Art

The reason Wearstler hides her eggs in plain sight is twofold. One, they’re pretty enough to be on display. But also: “Since my son is so young, I didn’t want to make them impossible to find. But I couldn’t make it too easy either, so some eggs are a little more hidden than others. I had fun positioning them among designs in our home, emphasizing existing shapes and colors.” For example, a green drippy egg almost blends into a marble sculpture’s veining, and a dipped yellow one looks right at home on a chessboard. To which we say, Crosby has his work cut out for him. 

The post Kelly Wearstler Emailed Us About Her Ultracool Drippy Easter Egg Technique appeared first on domino.

Much like home decor and paint colors, cookware can be a particular thing. Maybe there’s an affinity for stainless steel in your bones, or cast iron is your only go-to. Perhaps you only have eyes for candy apple red, or copper reigns supreme over all else. 

We’ve pored over, and tested, all kinds of cookware on the market through the years. The pull of heritage brands doesn’t seem to be waning—and that’s because most people want stuff that lasts (i.e., items that won’t need replacing in a few years’ time). And yet the wave of direct-to-consumer options that continue to hit digital shelves bring new ideas, attention-demanding colorways, and the hope of fixing everything that’s “wrong” with standard old pots and pans; we’re talking fewer toxins, more versatility, and better storage solutions. 

While we’re not about to get more hours in a day or more room in our cupboards, the best cookware brands continue to bring us back to the kitchen. Below, find our absolute favorites in the crowded space—broken out by brand and what they’re best suited for.

Best Cookware Brands for Sets

All-Clad

All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set, Williams Sonoma ($700)

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This stainless steel purveyor is a classic for a reason: The American-made brand, founded in the 1970s, introduced bonded cookware to the masses and has continued to innovate over the years without straying too much from its restaurant-kitchen look. While there are several collections that span nonstick, copper core, hard anodized, and ceramic, the original material is hard to beat. Its D3 Classic set is an incredible value for the quality you get—even heat distribution, easy maintenance, good design. (I’ve cooked with this set for nearly a decade and it’s still my go-to for everyday sautéing, saucework, and so on.) It is one of those lasts-a-lifetime options. 

Ensembl

Stackware Core2, Ensembl ($594)

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A relative newcomer to the cookware world, Ensembl launched its smartly designed Stackware in 2021. As the name implies, the pieces in the collection are indeed stackable, from the wider saucepan to the braiser to the stockpot. The Full6 isn’t cheap by any means, but each of its six shapes is appropriate for almost anything you’d cook on a regular basis, and the details is where Ensembl’s quality really stands out. The solid stainless steel and aluminum construction results in even heat distribution, works on induction cooktops, and is easy to clean up. Measurement markers on the interior of the pots and pans is a nice touch, and the fact that there are no interior connections means no food bits get left behind. The design is easy on the eyes, too, and you’ll get patented removable handles (that really work; I’ve been testing ‘em for six months!) and flat-lying lids. 

Caraway

Cookware Set, Caraway ($395 was $545)

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Founder and CEO Jordan Nathan got the idea for Caraway Home after getting a case of Teflon poisoning, so it’s no surprise that nontoxic materials are at the heart of the brand. But if PTFE-free coatings aren’t exactly sexy, the pots’ palette of moody hues certainly is, including sage green, cream, terracotta, navy, light gray, and more. “We created the palette to feel dusty and desaturated (which is normally accompanied by a matte finish), but added a gloss finish to create a unique contrast,” explains Jordan. Plus the cookware set comes with a magnetic storage system that makes putting pots and pans away extra-easy, and our style editor, Julia Stevens, appreciates their casual look and that they stack.

Best Cookware Brands for Dutch Ovens

Le Creuset

6.75-Quart Oval Dutch Oven, Le Creuset ($445)

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If there were royalty in cookware land, Le Creuset would be it. The French brand’s enameled surfaces, vast array of colors (a collection that only keeps growing), and high-quality heat retention make each piece—and specifically the Dutch ovens—the crowning jewel in a collection. The cast-iron pieces are made by in-house artisans and are pretty much guaranteed to outlive you. While those after a deal may not be into the high prices that Le Creuset demands, it’s an investment you won’t regret. 

Staub

Staub 7-Quart Enameled Cast-Iron Round Dutch Oven, Williams Sonoma ($330)

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If you prefer more fashion-forward hues and a slightly less rotund body, check out Staub. Another timeless French brand made since the 1970s, Staub products are resistant to scratching, chipping, and thermal shock thanks to three layers of glass powder and mineral pigments. Upkeep for the Dutch ovens is minimal; I’ve rarely seen anything stick to the enameled cast iron over the eight years I’ve owned one. The matte black colorway patinas particularly well over time, and jewel tones like a shiny emerald green will look right at home nestled among your tablescape. 

Serax

Serax Surface Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven, Food52 ($370)

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If there’s a sexier Dutch oven out there, we’ll wait. Serax collaborated with three-Michelin-starred chef Sergio Herman to craft matte black and dusty green versions of this cast-iron beauty, finished with an enamel exterior and polished interior that never needs seasoning. The style comes in four different sizes, with the largest clocking in at 5.8 quarts, and it is compatible with all stovetops, including induction. Like most enameled cast iron, we’d recommend handwashing this one.

Made In

7.5-Quart Oval Enameled Cast-Iron Dutch Oven, Made In ($299)

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Made In’s new 7.5-quart Dutch oven is a dreamboat. Nearly $150 less than a similarly sized Le Creuset and sporting a sleek and simple silhouette, its heat retention and distribution, as well as its naturally nonstick surface, is top-notch—we like it for braises and a boatload of red sauce. At 15 pounds, it’s not light by any means, so keep that in mind if you’re gifting it to someone. The stainless steel knob and six color options are pretty standard, but the antique white has our number. There’s something timeless and trusty about an oyster hue; you won’t get tired of seeing this one on your shelf.

Dansk 

4-Quart Købenstyle Casserole, Food52 ($135)

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The Dansk Købenstyle casserole is a mid-century design classic, and it can be a welcome departure from the heftiness of other Dutch ovens. Debuting in the late 1950s, the 4-quart enameled carbon steel pot can absolutely be tasked with cooking soup or rice and beans, but we love it as a perfect popcorn oven. Even better that the lid doubles as a trivet for stovetop-to-table snacks and meals. The white does take on stains if you don’t maintain the exterior properly, but there’s something about a little bit of browning that says, “I’ve used you lovingly.” 

Our Place

Perfect Pot, Our Place ($165)

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Shiza Shahid, Our Place’s founder, doesn’t believe in clutter. That’s why the kitchen equipment she creates serves more than one purpose. In the case of the Perfect Pot, you get eight uses out of one piece. This one’s ideal for stovetop devotees (think: lots of pasta or one-pot meals). It’s very lightweight at 4.5 pounds, nonstick, and comes with a nesting spoon and hybrid roasting rack–steamer. To note: The Perfect Pot is only oven-safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. If you aren’t worried about an extra nine pounds, want yours to handle oven temps up to 500 degrees, and can spare an extra $10, spring for the cast-iron Perfect Pot.

Best Cookware Brands for Nonstick Fry Pans

Hexclad

10-Inch Hybrid Pan, Hexclad ($150)

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If you prefer high-performance, low-maintenance cookware, Hexclad is for you. Unlike other options out there that tout a nonstick coating, there are no crazy rules to live and die by here: You can cook with spray, oil, or butter. The proprietary hybrid technology combines an aluminum core, stainless steel, and a steel hexagonal pattern, which means that these fry pans conduct heat well, and any stubborn crusties wipe away without elbow grease. Plus you can actually toss these in the dishwasher. Our associate shopping editor, Morgan Bulman, reports that even after a year, she’s seen no staining or discoloration.

GreenPan

GreenPan Reserve Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan, Set of 2, Food52 ($120)

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If you’re looking for an extremely durable, nontoxic option that still gets points for looks, GreenPan’s various lines will serve you well. The brand, known for its diamond-infused ceramic coating, offers up color, stainless steel, and thoughtful design elements that can often go unconsidered where nonstick is concerned. The GP5 and Reserve lines are the best-looking of the bunch, but the Venice pans have classic appeal as well. All are oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and some are even induction-friendly. (Psst: The company has collaborated with Food52 on a line, too, like these beauties with wood handles. Just don’t put those in the oven.) It also makes an adorable rice cooker that we love.

Best Budget Cookware Brands

Goldilocks

7-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, Goldilocks ($175)

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We’ve been testing the tri-ply stainless steel cookware from newcomer Goldilocks for some time and are impressed with its heat retention and distribution. Not to mention, it has the same handsome “fancy restaurant kitchen” look as Tramontina and All-Clad at a much more budget-friendly price. The stock pot is the perfect shape—well balanced in proportion—while the saucepan and fry pan handles are lithe and comfortable to use while on the stovetop. The material is dishwasher-safe, oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, and can be used on induction cooktops. Plus each piece’s rolled edges make pouring less messy, and the three included lids fit all four pans. While we think this group is the brand’s best bet, especially as a foundation for a new kitchen, Goldilocks also makes utensils, knives, and Dutch ovens.

Lodge

Lodge 6.5-Inch Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet, Williams Sonoma ($15)

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Do you prefer to cook on cast iron and only cast iron? Tennessee-based brand Lodge is likely a contender. Pick up an affordable enameled Dutch oven for a fraction of what you’ll pay for a Le Creuset or a combo cooker that basically gives you a two-in-one piece. The classic skillets range from just 3.5 inches in diameter to 15 inches, but not even the largest size exceeds $60. They come preseasoned and have that cozy cabin vibe that’ll fit right in with a farmhouse-y interior, but anyone who likes roasted chicken, braised greens, or sunny-side-up eggs would benefit from them. Not all of Lodge’s products are made in the U.S., so if that’s paramount to your purchasing decisions, check the fine print. 

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Castelle 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, Amazon ($150)

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Martha Stewart launched an Amazon storefront this winter, and it includes thousands of the multihyphenate’s products, including cookware. You can purchase singles of several styles from the Castelle collection, but the 10-piece stainless steel set is just $150 (and $10 more for nonstick). In addition to a pasta-perfect sauté pan, you get two frying pans, two saucepans with lids, and one 5-quart Dutch oven with a lid. They all have interior fill lines for easy measuring and are oven- and broiler-safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The 18/8 stainless steel is highly durable, and an aluminum core guarantees even heat distribution. Plus you can use them on all stovetop types, including induction.

Tramontina

Tramontina Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 12-Piece Cookware Set, Amazon ($300 was $610)

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Tramontina is an enduring budget pick and makes an ideal entry-level 12-piece set for under $350. While not the least expensive of the brand’s offerings, it’s the balanced middle ground that you can expect to use for years. It comes with two skillets, three saucepans and lids, a sauté pan and lid, and a stockpot with lid; there’s very little else you’d need to have a fully stocked kitchen. We love the clean and sophisticated design, 18/10 steel construction, and lifetime warranty. Note: Stainless steel is safe to use on all types of stovetops, including induction.

Best Luxury Cookware Brands

Mauviel

Mauviel Copper 2-Quart M’150 B Saucepan, Williams Sonoma ($250)

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It’s hard to go awry with Mauviel. Founded nearly 200 years ago in France, the brand boasts several styles of copper cookware and they’re all lookers. The straight rims, polished exterior, and stainless steel rivets contribute to an elegant package; choose between bronze, stainless steel, and cast-iron handles to finish things off. Various sets are available, some with different thicknesses, but a big winner for us is the M6S line—it’s induction compatible. 

Hestan

Hestan Stainless Steel Classic Roaster With Rack, Food52 ($225)

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If you’re in the market for a serious upgrade from your first-apartment set or just want to add a new fancy piece to your collection, Hestan will make the splurge worth it. Whether bonded with titanium or made with a copper core or diamond-reinforced nonstick finish, it’s all made in Italy. The Thomas Keller Insignia line sports particularly lovely silhouettes, and the universal lid from that collection would make a great gift for an amateur chef. The quality doesn’t come cheap, so to help you out, the brand offers a quiz that’ll guide you to the right fit.

How We Chose These Products

Our editors have tested products from different cookware brands for years. All persuasions of material—stainless steel, copper, aluminum, nonstick, cast iron, enamel, you name it—have graced our gas, electric, and induction stovetops. We all have a preference for something, whether that’s style (class versus contemporary), sets (one to two pans or a whole suite), or versatility. There are regular entertainers among our ranks, and those who prefer to cook just for themselves and their immediate family, and we’re always on the lookout for new players, colors, and technology. Each brand on this list has either been personally tested (most of them) or recommended based on heat retention and distribution, care and maintenance, and aesthetics. 

If you have a favorite cookware brand to throw into contention, share it in the comments.

The post We Surveyed All the Best Cookware Brands to Find the 17 Worth Buying appeared first on domino.

Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.“ That’s why we call them Simply the Best.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’ve been storing your wine at room temperature or higher, you might be spoiling your bottles in the long term (read: you definitely are). Not just for sommeliers and oenophiles, the best wine refrigerators are household appliances for wine drinkers from all walks of life, regardless if you’re sipping a budget-friendly Vinho Verde or an aged Burgundy. “When bottles get too hot, the wine can spoil and turn to vinegar,” says Parcelle cofounder Grant Reynolds. “Think of it like leaving ice cream out of the freezer—it won’t kill you, but it’s just not the same experience.” 

And aside from making sure your wine doesn’t taste like vinegar, the best wine coolers make the delicate process of storage and organization a simple feat. If you’re feeling convinced that it’s time to reroute your collection from the kitchen counter to a temperature-controlled environment, read on to find out which ones topped our list, with advice from industry experts on the ins and outs of incorporating this beverage staple into a well-designed space.

Our Favorites

• Best overall: Hisense Wine Cooler 
• Best dual zone: Zephyr Presrv Dual Zone Wine Cooler
• Best multi-beverage: Rocco Super Smart Fridge
• Best compact: Smith & Hanks Wine Refrigerator
• Best under-counter: KitchenAid Wine Cellar
• Best budget: Wine Enthusiast Wine Cooler
• Best shelving: Eurocave Pure S Wine Cellar
• Best splurge: LG Wine Cellar Refrigerator

Best Overall: Hisense Wine Cooler

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Zone type: Single | Bottle capacity: 54 | Installation: Built-in or freestanding

Why we chose it: Store more than 50 bottles in this sleek fridge that’s quiet as a church mouse.

We tested one of Hisense’s wine refrigerators for a previous review of dual-zone wine fridges and have continued to be impressed with the brand’s strong performance. This 54-bottle stainless steel model gets our best overall vote and comes in a built-in or freestanding version. It’s designed with six sliding shelves that are smooth, quiet, and don’t disrupt the bottles, while a reversible door offers flexibility and energy-efficient glass filters out unwanted light, like UV rays. The temperature range is 41 to 68 degrees and can be controlled via a LED digital panel. Despite being a high-performing wine fridge, it’s supremely quiet—so there’s no distracting buzzing or humming to worry about. Our only caveat? The dual-zone fridge is currently out of stock, so if you have your heart set on that functionality, this single-zone might not cut it.

Best Dual Zone: Zephyr Presrv Dual Zone Wine Cooler

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Zone type: Dual | Bottle capacity: 45 | Installation: Freestanding or built-in

Why we chose it: A roomy dual-zone wine fridge that looks just as good freestanding as it does customized to your cabinetry.

If you, like Domino’s managing shopping editor, Samantha Weiss-Hills, regularly host with wine or love to stock up on bottles from your travels, Zephyr’s wine coolers should be on your radar. Its dual-zone fridge comes in several variations: original, French door, full size, panel ready, pro, and ADA compliant. The original’s sleek stainless steel reversible door is finished with dual-pane glass that stays superclear when closed, allowing you to easily peek inside at your inventory. It fits up to 45 bottles, but that number probably depends on what you tend to drink—Pinot Noir bottles are bulkier than those of Riesling. (To note: The bottom shelf that stores six bottles is stationary.)

Chic stainless steel–fronted, wood-slat shelves glide in and out smoothly so you don’t have to worry about anything wiggling around, and each zone has two different shelf heights. The temperature panel is easy to control but not sensitive—it requires a bit of intention. And the lighting has three different colors (we prefer the amber for its restaurant wine-cave vibes) and two different settings (automatic, which fades off when the door is closed, and active, which illuminates your collection continuously). This model, while it can be used freestanding, is just right for under a counter—even the ADA-compliant version, which can be adjusted below 32 inches. 

Best Multi-Beverage: Rocco Super Smart Fridge

Super Smart Fridge, Rocco ($1,295 was $1,500)

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Zone type: Dual | Bottle capacity: 27 Bordeaux bottles, 88 cans, or a mix of both | Installation: Built-in or freestanding

Why we chose it: Got a small apartment? Not a problem thanks to this narrow fridge.

Our deputy editor, Julie Vadnal, didn’t think she needed a station to stock her drinks until she saw the Rocco. A new smart beverage fridge with app-controlled temperature, lighting, and a camera, it makes reaching for a can (it holds up to 88, or 27 Bordeaux bottles) feel really, really fancy. Available in three colors, including a banana yellow, it doesn’t just look pretty: It’s made from powder-coated, welded steel (re: it’s heavy); has a door crafted with triple layer glass; and has six soft-close racks that extend 100%. Those racks are also reversible, a rare feature; one side holds wine bottles, and the other is for cans. Store cocktail needs on top with the included tray, and revel in the fact that you have two cooling zones in which to stash your wares once you open up the appliance. As Vadnal explains, the Rocco fridge does what the best-designed products do: It serves a function and it’s beautiful to look at.

Best Compact: Smith & Hanks Wine Refrigerator

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Zone type: Dual | Bottle capacity: 32 | Installation: Built-in or freestanding

Why we chose it: Got a small apartment? Not a problem thanks to this narrow wine fridge.

We’ve tapped freelance wine and spirits writer Céline Bossart before to find out which fridge she leans on the most, and this slim-shaped unit was her favorite. “As a wine professional in a New York City apartment, I always appreciate a wine fridge that’s both multi-zone and compact,” she previously told Domino. She points to this 15-inch-wide Smith & Hanks fridge as the best compact model. It comes in a stainless steel finish with six wood-accented shelves, and despite its narrow footprint, it can still fit up to 32 bottles. The glass is double paneled and designed with a UV shield, and this adaptable unit can be installed as a freestanding model or a built-in. “In general, I think it’s a good idea to invest in a built-in wine fridge as opposed to just freestanding, as it’s always nice to have the option to incorporate it into cabinetry somewhere down the line, even if you’re not planning to right away,” Bossart recommended.

Best Under-Counter: KitchenAid Wine Cellar

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Zone type: Dual | Bottle capacity: 46 | Installation: Built-in or freestanding

Why we chose it: Easy on the eyes and friendly to your bottles, this stylish fridge will blend in seamlessly under your counter.

When we previously asked La Cura founder Olivia Muniak about her favorite wine fridges, she nodded toward KitchenAid. “It is the trusted powerhouse for appliances in my home,” she said at the time. For this best under-counter model, she suggests you “opt for the sleek stainless steel design or choose to customize to match the cabinetry in your kitchen.” The 46-bottle fridge offers a built-in, flush installation with hidden hinges and a standard 24-inch base to keep it from poking out from a row of cabinetry. The dual-zone temperatures can range from 42 to 64 degrees, and there’s a monitoring system that sets off an alarm if temperatures go above 70 degrees for more than four hours. A few more fun features: motion-activated LED lighting so you can peek inside without opening the door (good for monitoring temperature and humidity); UV-protected glass door; and an automatic defrost cycle. Aside from the expensive price tag, there’s nothing bad to be said about this wine fridge. 

Best Value: Wine Enthusiast Wine Cooler

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Zone type: Dual | Bottle capacity: 32 | Installation: Freestanding

Why we chose it: Enjoy the flexibility of two temperature zones with this easy-on-the-wallet wine fridge.

Wine Enthusiast has been a trusted name in the beverage industry for more than 40 years and, as such, is one of the best wine fridge brands out there. Its diverse collection of wine coolers also happens to include this modestly priced model at just under $500. It might be the best value on our list, but it’s not without pro features: It can store 32 bottles and the dual-zone functionality means you can set the zones to different temperatures, which comes in handy for keeping certain bottles colder and ready to serve on the fly. It also uses a compressor cooling technology, as opposed to a thermoelectric system, which is better for maintaining stable temperatures. A couple of things to keep in mind: It’s designed to be freestanding only, so you won’t have the option to build it into your existing cabinetry. Also, the shelves are a scalloped chrome design rather than wood-front paneling, which make for an industrial aesthetic that might not be everyone’s favorite.

Best Shelving: Eurocave Pure S Wine Cellar

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Zone type: Single | Bottle capacity: 74 | Installation: Freestanding

Why we chose it: A high-capacity, sommelier-approved wine fridge with snazzy shelving and strong energy efficiency. 

Hailing from France (kind of a leader in fine wine, you might say), the EuroCave is a name that comes up a lot among wine industry experts. There are several chic design features to ooh and aah over here, including the unique shelving design. The company calls this best shelving pick Main du Sommelier (“hand of the sommelier”), referring to the 12 adjustable, rubber-lined “hands” that cradle each bottle and prevent it from rolling around while you slide the shelf in and out. This pick from its Pure collection can store up to 74 bottles and comes with touch-screen controls to help set and maintain temperature and humidity levels. The brand also notes that this current iteration is 55% more efficient than older models, a testament to the wine cellar’s individually handcrafted 30-step manufacturing process. The one downside? It’s going to cost you a pretty penny, which is why we only suggest this model if you’ve got a pricey wine collection you want to continue building. 

Best Splurge: LG Wine Cellar Refrigerator

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Zone type: Dual | Bottle capacity: 65 | Installation: Freestanding

Why we chose it: A collaboration with John Legend, this luxury fridge and freezer is replete with fancy features. 

We don’t make it a habit to recommend $7,000 wine fridges too often, but Domino recently caught up with John Legend at a dinner in Napa, California, celebrating the musician’s partnership with LG Signature, and we couldn’t resist making their newly launched (and highly impressive) wine cellar our list’s best splurge pick. It has all the perks you’d expect from a luxury wine refrigerator, like dual-zone temperature systems, humidity control, UV-resistant glass—those are a given. But this model takes the concept of a wine fridge to new heights with features such as voice activation (Wi-Fi enabled so it works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa), an auto-open door, and fingerprint-resistant textured steel. It’s designed with two compartments below the five beechwood gliding wine shelves, both of which can be used as a fridge or freezer (pretty ideal if you want to serve your wine with, say, a cheese and charcuterie board). It’s a wish-list fridge, sure, but a host can dream, right?

How We Chose These Products

Even the more affordable wine refrigerators are still on the pricier side, so we tapped industry experts for insight on reliable brands and features to look out for to ensure it’s an investment well made. We also leaned on research and interviews with those who have some serious wine know-how. From there, we curated a list of fridges that check the boxes when it comes to performance and design, with some familiar picks that Domino editors have tested for stylish wine storage.

Our Shopping Checklist

Style 

The difference between a sleek, stylish wine fridge and one that feels so-so comes down to the materials used. On the exterior, stainless steel is a safe bet for a polished look, and streak-free glass also keeps things looking sharp. Once you open the refrigerator, shelving will be the first thing to grab your attention (Reynolds notes he’d “opt for the Eurocave shaped firm plastic shelves”). You’ll also be deciding between a built-in or freestanding fridge. “Freestanding is the best because it can be easily removed if you decide you’d like to convert the area to [other storage] down the road,” notes California Closets New York design consultant Debra Russo. Beyond these details, the overall size and shape of your wine fridge will determine how it looks in your space, so choose something that won’t overwhelm the composition of the room.

Size and Capacity 

If you’re investing in a wine fridge, you’ll want to make sure you can store enough of your bottles to make the price tag worth it. While capacity can run the gamut, Reynolds suggests aiming for at least a 24-bottle unit “to have a nice mix.” Additionally, if you live in a compact apartment with limited space, look for taller, slimmer models that can fit nicely in small corners.

Cooling Tech 

You want to keep your bottles at a cool and constant temperature when storing them for an extended period of time—somewhere between 50 and 55 degrees (“My preference for reds is 52 degrees,” Reynolds says). While he also notes that a dual-zone wine fridge isn’t “necessary” per se, if you decide you’d like the flexibility of keeping whites and sparkling at a colder, ready-to-drink temperature, look for dual-zone fridges that offer a range of around 40 to 65 degrees.

Shelving

As highlighted earlier, Reynolds points to Eurocave’s Main du Sommelier shelving as his favorite, which features adjustable “hands” that cradle the bottles individually. But the Eurocave fridges are admittedly a bit spendy, so if you’re not going that route, we suggest looking for stainless steel or wood-front shelving with an easily accessible slide-out design.

Ask Domino

Q: How much should I expect to spend on a wine fridge?

There’s no way around it—good wine refrigerators aren’t cheap. “I always recommend spending more out of the gate,” Reynolds says. “When a wine fridge breaks, you’re not only at a loss for the fridge, but potentially the wine can spoil.” Price points can range dramatically, from a couple hundred dollars well into the thousands, but $500 and above seems to be the sweet spot for standard-size fridges with strong performance records and stylish design.

Q: Does my wine fridge have to be in the kitchen?

Nope. While a built-in wine refrigerator might make the most sense in your kitchen design, freestanding models can be adapted to different areas of your home like a study or dining room. Or in some cases, a closet. “More clients have been including wine fridges and coffee machines in their closets so they don’t need to go down to the kitchen,” Russo says. If you dabble in the “dressing drinks” trend, “other than the fridge, you would need storage for wineglasses and corkscrews; adjustable shelving and a drawer would be the best solution for this,” he adds.

Q: Okay, but why can’t I just use my regular fridge for storing wine?

Simply put, your refrigerator is too cold (around 40 degrees or below) and the humidity levels are too low (which can cause your corks to dry out). It certainly works to chill a bottle of bubbly before serving, but it’s not ideal for long-term storage. Wine should also be stored on its side and with as little vibration as possible. Even if you’ve got one of the best French door refrigerators with multiple temperature zones, if you’re constantly moving items in and out, your wine will pay the price.

The Last Word

Curating a wine collection that you’re excited about is best accomplished with a wine fridge that keeps your bottles at a cool, consistent temperature with little disruption from light or movement. Though a pricey investment, the best models will last you well over a decade and ensure your favorite pours won’t be spoiled. Hisense’s wine cooler looks polished, works exceptionally well, and offers good value. We’ll cheers to that.

The post The Best Wine Refrigerators Are Sleek and Keep Your Precious Bottles Safe From Spoilage appeared first on domino.

Before we all turn our attention to Valentine’s Day, many people around the world—including Kate Berry, Domino’s chief creative officer—will be celebrating Lunar New Year at the beginning of February. “Westerners operate on the solar calendar, which lasts 365 days, but many East Asian countries work off of a lunar calendar, which defines a year by full cycles of the moon,” she explains. This year the Lunar New Year falls on February 10, and it’s the Year of the Dragon. For Berry the holiday represents a clean slate—a time to tidy up your space, organize, and do all the things you’ve been putting off. “Some people even get haircuts so they can present their best physical selves,” she says. Here, Berry walks us through how she celebrates the Lunar New Year. 

How did you celebrate the Lunar New Year growing up?

We did everything as a family. We cleaned as a family; we prayed as a family. It wasn’t just my parents cleaning the house—we were all doing our share. I think there’s an important teaching moment there. I was taught the value of doing things for yourself and what it means to play your part in a family system. 

We were also taught the power of superstition. I remember one year my brother and I got into a fight. We were crying in our nice clothes, and our parents said, “Pull it together! You’ll be unhappy the rest of the year if you keep this up.” 

I also recall how important it was to create a celebratory environment in our home for the special day. We always got peach blossoms and quince blossoms, which are thought to represent prosperity and growth. We’d also put out bowls of tangerines and other citrus that symbolize abundance and happiness.

We would set up an altar every year as well. (We’re Buddhist, but people of all religions celebrate Lunar New Year.) We’d set out pictures of our ancestors and special foods as an offering: watermelon seeds dyed red for luck, tea, sticky rice cakes with meat and beans wrapped in banana leaves, moon cakes, and other little desserts. They acted as a thank-you to our ancestors. We’d pray and then light incense and candles. When they burned down, that’s when we were allowed to eat, because it symbolized our ancestors finishing eating. It was torture as kids to wait! 

Our parents and relatives always gave us little red envelopes with money inside, too. They blessed them with good luck and fortune and health to carry us through the year. 

How do you celebrate now, as a parent?

Usually I get red envelopes ready for my daughter, Quinn, and the other kids, and I always set up my own altar. I have a charcoal rubbing of my grandmother’s grave in Vietnam from when my sister and I took a trip there, so I put that up to honor her, and I have pictures of my husband Ian’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other relatives. It’s an altar similar to the one I had growing up, but my own version. It’s like East meets West. 

Quinn adds her own touches to the altar, too, like her Legos and stuffed animals. It’s something we can do together. I love that she likes to add things; I believe it’s helping her understand her Vietnamese heritage and the traditions.

I’m also hoping to clean and organize my entire apartment, starting with my closet. I wish I had time to organize everything, but generally speaking I will need to clean, purge, and edit things I don’t need to make room for luck to come. 

We don’t have family in New York, so we’re used to celebrating with friends. I think, more than anything, it’s about reaching out to loved ones, especially those we haven’t talked to in a while. Even just sending a “Hey, thinking about you” text to everyone in our lives. To reflect on what these people mean to us is really important—it sends good energy and thoughts their way. 

The post Lunar New Year Represents a Clean Slate for Me—And My Space appeared first on domino.

A tablecloth is the backdrop to a dinner party. When setting the stage for your delicious bites to follow, you could go for a muted all-white vibe, maximal pattern-on-pattern look, or beachy cabana energy. If you’re lucky enough to have a linen closet with a few strong options, you can choose your own adventure every time. 

But where to begin? Glad you asked. Cultiver, Parachute, and Bed Threads have impressed us with their bedding night after night, and considering tablecloths from these brands are made out of the exact same linen, we know they’re just as sound. If you’re in the market for a real showstopper, the striped cottons from our just-dropped collab with Heather Taylor Home are an excellent place to start. And if the goal is to ball on a budget, Amazon has a few options that actually look quite expensive. Shop the best tablecloths by style, below, as your big party plans for 2024 await.  

Our Favorite Tablecloth Brands

Best solid tablecloths: Cultiver
Best striped tablecloths: Heather Taylor Home
Best gingham tablecloths: Schoolhouse
Best floral tablecloths: Food52 x St. Frank
Best budget tablecloths: IKEA

Best Solid Tablecloths

Before you delve into the world of prints, it’s good to have at least one solid in your collection. But just because it’s solid doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Two examples: Amazon’s ruffle trim adds a cottagecore flair, and Hay’s contrast stitching adds an unexpected pop of red to an otherwise neutral piece.

Linen Tablecloth, Cultiver ($156)

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European Linen Tablecloth, Quince ($60)

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100% French Flax Linen Tablecloth, Bed Threads ($96 was $120)

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Outline Tablecloth, Hay ($75)

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Pure Linen Tablecloth by Everly, Amazon ($56)

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Linen Fringe Tablecloth, Parachute ($129)

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Sunset Rose Linen Tablecloth, April Notes ($70)

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Retro Farmhouse Ruffle Tablecloth by Glory Season , Amazon ($35)

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Best Striped Tablecloths

We’re big fans of stripes here at Domino—in other words, we go crazy for them. Wide, narrow, bright, soft; you truly can’t go wrong. It’s no wonder editor-favorite Hawkins New York chose a stripe as its pattern debut. It’s offered in six tone-on-tone colorways. 

Medium Stripe Tablecloth , Heather Taylor Home x Domino ($218)

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Awning Stripe Tablecloth, Serena & Lily ($118)

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La Veste Nizam Cotton Tablecloth by Lisa Corti, Matches Fashion ($215)

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Striped Cotton Tablecloth, H&M Home ($37)

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Essential Striped Tablecloth, Hawkins New York ($118)

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Dyed Thread Striped Tablecloth, Zara Home ($30 was $50)

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Best Gingham Tablecloths

Gingham can make even an urban high-rise feel like a country home. Schoolhouse’s unique cocktail of coral and cornflower blue has our heart, but we’re also crushing on the subtle fringe of Serena & Lily’s cotton staple. 

Linen Check Tablecloth, Schoolhouse ($179)

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Linen Buffalo Check Oversized Tablecloth, Crate & Barrel ($190)

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Farmer’s Gingham Tablecloth by Farmhouse Pottery, West Elm ($155)

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Gingham Tablecloth, Serena & Lily ($178)

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Picnic Linen Tablecloth by Madre, Food52 ($270)

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Indigo Gingham Tablecloth by Auntie Oti, Nickey Kehoe ($130)

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Best Floral Tablecloths

A floral pattern can take you in many directions, from a traditional Suzani print to stylized tulip illustrations. When it comes to busier patterns, just opt for solid napkins and dinnerware to balance it all out.

Bright Botanical Suzani Printed Tablecloth, Food52 x St. Frank ($199)

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Sophia Block-Print Oilcloth Outdoor Tablecloth, Pottery Barn ($89)

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Turning Tulips Large Tablecloth, La DoubleJ ($199)

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Yadira Tablecloth, Furbish Studio ($69)

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Meraki Green 100% Cotton Tablecloth by ATOSII, Amazon ($52)

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Rose Rouge Tablecloth, Atelier Saucier ($198)

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Best Budget Tablecloths

Let’s be honest: Dinner parties can get a little messy. Red wine will inevitably spill and tomato sauce will splash. So if you’re not trying to break the bank on a tablecloth, this is your section. When seeking a deal, we look no further than IKEA: Its Vippstarr style is just $6. (Yep, you read that right.) But it’s more than just inexpensive. Made from 100% unbleached cotton, the thin red stitching adds an effortless French flair. 

Vippstarr Tablecloth, IKEA ($6)

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Martha Stewart Honeycomb Modern Farmhouse Tablecloth, Wayfair ($26 was $33)

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Cotton Tablecloth, H&M Home ($10 was $32)

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Linen-Cotton Tablecloth by Zobesta, Amazon ($21)

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Our Shopping Checklist

Size 

There’s no standard size for a tablecloth; you’ll want to pick one according to your table size as well as the type of occasion. For casual gatherings, tablecloths should hang down 6 to 8 inches. For formal events, it can hang down between 8 and 12 inches. So just take your table dimensions and add double the amount you want it to hang down to each side. Easy enough! 

Fabric Types  

Domino editors prefer linen and cotton when it comes to tablecloths, but they aren’t the only fiber sources for this tabletop accessory. There are plenty of polyester options on the market, but we’d avoid those. However, you don’t have to say “no” outright to a blend. Of course, 100% cotton and linen are the cream of the crop for this category, but they will require a bit more upkeep; just a hair of polyester added in can mean the difference of not having to iron with every use. Color-, pattern-, and texture-wise—have fun! Just keep a few things in mind: How your tablecloth choice works with your napkins, and how everything will pair with your chosen glasses and flatware. 

Maintenance

Most picks on this list can be tossed in a washing machine without worry (just stick to cold water and delicate cycles). If you’re struggling to get those wrinkles out, take it out of the wash while it’s still damp and iron on reverse.

Ask Domino

Q: Every time I take my tablecloth out of the linen closet, it has creases from folding. How can I get rid of them without using an ironing board?

If you’re setting the table a few hours before your party, hitting those creases with a spray bottle filled with water is a great trick for releasing lines. When the fabric dries, they’ll be out of sight. 

Additionally, you’d be surprised how much plates, serveware, candles, vases, and whatever you style your table with will conceal the lines. There’s no way your guests’ eyes will go toward the subtle lines when they’re covered by a beautiful tablescape. 

Q: Would you ever layer a tablecloth with placemats?

Never say never! While this can look a bit crowded when done wrong, we think placemats in a contrasting material can be layered over a tablecloth. Think: wicker or resin placemats over a linen tablecloth. Chargers would be a safe bet, as they’re often smaller, and their purpose is more decorative and about complementing the plate rather than protecting the table and catching dropped food.

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